Primary T cell expansion and differentiation in vivo requires antigen presentation by B cells

Crawford, A., Macleod, M. , Schumacher, T., Corlett, L. and Gray, D. (2006) Primary T cell expansion and differentiation in vivo requires antigen presentation by B cells. Journal of Immunology, 176(6), pp. 3498-3506. (doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.176.6.3498) (PMID:16517718)

Abstract

B cells are well documented as APC; however, their role in supporting and programming the T cell response in vivo is still unclear. Studies using B cell-deficient mice have given rise to contradictory results. We have used mixed BM chimeric mice to define the contribution that B cells make as APC. When the B cell compartment is deficient in MHC class II, while other APC are largely normal, T cell clonal expansion is significantly reduced and the differentiation of T cells into cytokine-secreting effector cells is impaired (in particular, Th2 cells). The development of the memory T cell populations is also decreased. Although MHC class II-mediated presentation by B cells was crucial for an optimal T cell response, neither a B cell-specific lack of CD40 (influencing costimulation) nor lymphotoxin α (influencing lymphoid tissue architecture) had any effect on the T cell response. We conclude that in vivo B cells provide extra and essential Ag presentation capacity over and above that provided by dendritic cells, optimizing expansion and allowing the generation of memory and effector T cells.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Macleod, Dr Megan
• Authors: Crawford, A., Macleod, M., Schumacher, T., Corlett, L., and Gray, D.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
• Journal Name: Journal of Immunology
• Journal Abbr.: J. Immunol.
• Publisher: The American Association of Immunologists
• ISSN: 0022-1767
• ISSN (Online): 1550-6606